Trip idea · 7 days / 6 nights
Negombo → Anuradhapura → Sigiriya → Polonnaruwa → Dambulla → Kandy → Colombo
All the ancient capitals in one easy week, with an optional elephant safari and a night of Kandyan dancing.
from €650 – €1,000 per person (estimate)
- Length
- 7 days / 6 nights
- Best time
- All year
- Suits
- Solo, Couple, Family, Friends / group
- Style
- Culture & heritage
Overview
All the ancient capitals in one easy week, with an optional elephant safari and a night of Kandyan dancing.
- Anuradhapura's great stupas and Mihintale at sunset
- Cycling round medieval Polonnaruwa
- Sigiriya and an evening elephant safari at Minneriya
- Kandyan dance show
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Negombo
Airport welcome and a relaxed first evening by the sea.
Overnight: Negombo
- Day 2
Anuradhapura & Mihintale
Drive north to the first royal capital: the sacred Bo tree, Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the climb at Mihintale for sunset.
Overnight: Anuradhapura
- Day 3
To Sigiriya
Morning in the quieter ruins, then on to Sigiriya. Optional evening jeep safari to see elephants at Minneriya or Hurulu.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 4
Lion Rock
Early climb of Sigiriya, afternoon free by the pool or a village cooking lesson.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 5
Polonnaruwa by bike
Cycle between the palaces, temples and the Gal Vihara rock-carved Buddhas of the medieval capital.
Overnight: Sigiriya
- Day 6
Dambulla and Kandy
Cave temples at Dambulla, a spice garden, then Kandy: Temple of the Tooth and a Kandyan dance show.
Overnight: Kandy
- Day 7
Colombo and home
Peradeniya gardens and the drive to Colombo for your flight.
Usually included
- Private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotels as described, 2 sharing, with breakfast
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Local taxes and the driver's costs
Not included
- International flights
- Sri Lanka ETA (visa)
- Entrance and park fees unless listed
- Lunches, most dinners and drinks
- Tips and personal spending
- Travel insurance
Best months
- Jan(good time)
- Feb(good time)
- Mar(good time)
- Apr(good time)
- May(good time)
- Jun(good time)
- Jul(good time)
- Aug(good time)
- Sep(good time)
- Oct(good time)
- Nov(good time)
- Dec(good time)
About the price
Estimate per person, 2 sharing, mid-range hotels with breakfast, private car with driver-guide; no flights or entrance fees.
Estimate last checked: 13/11/2026
Arranged by: A licensed tour partner based in Sri Lanka
Enquire about this trip
Free and with no obligation. We pass your request to a licensed tour company in Sri Lanka, who will reply with a quote. Nothing is paid through LankaLane.
LankaLane is a community and information website, not a travel agent or tour operator. Trips shown here are ideas with estimated "from" prices, not offers for sale. LankaLane does not sell, book or take payment for any travel. If you enquire, we pass your request (only with your consent) to a licensed tour company based in Sri Lanka, who will quote you directly. Any booking, contract and payment is between you and that company.